Summer loving
There is much to learn from other cities when it comes to our green spaces. Landscape architect Tony Milne shares his insights following a recent European visit.
As you read this, summer will be upon us. For some of us, the Christmas puddings wrapped in calico should by now be hanging from the garage rafters. And, for those fortunate enough to have a bach, or crib if you are from ‘down south’, we are opening the curtains and letting in the summer sun.
By contrast, I write this while sitting on an electric ferry in the beautiful Norwegian fjords. Somewhat ironically, having travelled so far, we are enveloped by what some would call a ‘pea-souper’, otherwise known as a very clean, dense fog. Along with my colleague, Brooke Mitchell, I am in Norway. Not a holiday, but a conference destination.
On the flip side we have struck up a friendship with a couple of western Australian ladies. We lifted their suitcases, they bought us coffee. In their mid-seventies I’d safely suggest, with a full repertoire of colourful language to describe our current situation, the etiquette of fellow tourists along with the size and weight of their own suitcases. I was also thoroughly tested on my botanical nomenclature; I think they were disappointed. I was.
HAMBURG A historic bunker in the Sternschanze - Flora Park, is used as a climbing wall. Graffiti sprayers may decorate the bunker legally.
We have come from three days spent at a landscape architecture congress in Oslo. A most delightful city recently adjudged the European Green Capital of 2019. In terms of how to live more ‘sustainably’ and through the lens of our Christchurch rebuild, Oslo is a city we could learn from.
At our congress, the indomitable American landscape architect, Kathryn Gustafson reminded us of the encompassing role we can play as landscape architects – if it is under the sky it is ours, if it is under the roof it is yours (as in the architect's).
Norwegian performance and installation artist Kurt Johannessen delighted us with his concept of ‘clumping’. Something about nothing and everything all at the same time. Look it up. Another Norwegian artist, Kyrre Texnæs, the son of a shoe seller, entertained us on how one’s gait might tell us about the physical and mental space a person is in. Absolutely brilliant.
While here, we have walked plenty, and cycled too. Something we also did during a two-day stopover in Hamburg, a city an old school mate, Dick Adams, now calls home. Dick took us on a cycle tour, complete with lively commentary on the quality or otherwise of Hamburg’s city spaces.
He thought the council could be maintaining more, while on the other hand, he lauded the biological and ecological leanings and ethos of the city and its inhabitants. Germany has an environmental protection law to protect wildlife, prohibiting extensive trimming of trees, bushes and hedges between 1st March and 1st September each year.
Why don’t we? Bushes and trees provide vital homes and some safety for birds, insects, and other animals: a place to sleep, rest and mate.
I wrote last year of my flailing attempt to keep a verdant sward (expanse of short grass). It is true, my good neighbour Derek does deal with his broadleaf weeds more often than I. But do Derek and I have it right? The unkempt aesthetic or sustainable aesthetic, as it is referred to, we could embrace. It isn’t new, rather a case that many of us in an urban setting prefer otherwise.
Hamburg does unkempt in a slightly grungy way; Oslo does unkempt in a cool Scandinavian way. It would be fantastic if Christchurch could also do it in a rejuvenating way. As a landscape architect, I should advocate for this more. The last time I tried, I arrived home to find a Mr Green mowing our lawns.
03 366 3268 | roughandmilne.co.nz
